Have you ever wondered why sexual sin is against your own body?1 Corinthians 6:18 warns of negative physical consequences to sexual sin – a desecration of the Holy Temple, our body, which houses the Holy Spirit: "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body."

Now, science confirms exactly how sexual sin harms us: It damages your brain. Whether it be premarital sex, adultery, or viewing pornography, sexual sin altars our brain function. When indulged in repeatedly it can lead to a seared conscience -an actual brain phenomenon that numbs us to guilt and the conviction of our wrongdoing.

It’s a scary thought to know that if we give in to sin as a way of life it will sear our conscience to the point that God can no longer convict us of sin. This has happened time and time again throughout history, -"Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored. . .God gave them over to degrading passions for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts."(Romans 1:24-27)

At the threshold of 65 years old, I can remember a time when I didn’t know what pornography was. Young teenage boys who were curious about the female body turned to the bra section of a Sears and Roebuck catalogue. We had three TV channels which mainly focused on family wholesome themes, and there was little nudity in the movies of that time. The songs were generally wholesome until the rock music revolution hit America, but even then there was more of a rebellious, edgy tone than a sexual one. Of course there was Playboy Magazine, but living in Arkansas I didn’t know anyone who had a subscription.

So a lot has changed since that time in TV, Movies, Music and especially with the rise of the Worldwide Web. The broad use of smart phones and social media had also greatly contributed to the availability and spread of pornography.

Today, the challenges we face are much more difficult, especially so with young men. Men today have temptation rained upon them from every direction. If they overcome the lure of actually viewing pornography in print, in movies or online, they still face a barrage of temptation shown in TV commercials, barely clothed women at the mall and scantily clad cheerleaders at a sports event. Women living out their Christian faith must be conscious of the fact that how they dress can put a stumbling block before a brother. This is why Jesus warned about causing one of the Lord’s little ones to stumble. The Apostle Paul wrote, -"I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly." (1 Timothy 2:9)Definition of Modest Dress, according to the Oxford Dictionary, -"A woman dressing so as to avoid impropriety, or indecency, especially to avoid attracting sexual attention -clothing not revealing or emphasizing a person’s figure."

God created man to appreciate and be sexually attracted to the female shape, and Jesus said -"You have heard it said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body than for you whole body to be thrown in Hell." (Matthew 5:27-29) And, -"whoever causes one of these little ones to stumble it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the sea." (Matthew 18:6)

There are passages in the Old Testament where women who were not prostitutes but who dressed as prostitutes in order to lure men sexually. Whether she be a prostitute or not, a woman knows that men are sexually lured if they dress immodestly. The primary point in bringing this up is to encourage all my faithful sisters to be your brother’s keeper, and strive to dress and act modestly. But there is another point, and that is that being scantily clad can provoke a sexual attack from an unstable man.

Four Times Stronger than Morphine

The following it from the Conquer Series, "When porn is viewed, several things happen to the brain involving powerful hormones – two of which are Oxytocin and Vasopressin. Often called the love hormone, oxytocin is released when we hug or kiss a loved one. It regulates social interaction and sexual reproduction, playing a role in empathy, generosity, orgasm, and human bonding.

Vasopressin is a hormone found in most mammals which is also used as a medication; it numbs the pain.When we watch pornography and "act out," the sexual sin releases a powerful concoction, creating a perplexing issue for the human body.

Fundamentally, the bonding hormones of Oxytocin and Vasopressin form a rewiring of the brain with the wrong material, that lures the individual deeper into a prison of their own making. An intoxicating combination of hormones – intended to bring loved ones closer together and promote mental healing – are instead operating out of sinful activity, completely confusing the mind." (Carol Archebelle)

Dr. Doug Weiss, Executive Director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center and expert contributor to the Conquer Series, a cinematic DVD series that helps men break free from pornography, elaborates:"When you have a sexual experience, your brains makes these opiates which are four times stronger than morphine. Boom! It hits your brain, your brain lights up like a Christmas tree. This is the highest chemical reward your brain gets for anything. That’s why a lot of guys get in trouble, even in ministry. They don’t know their brain is defective."

When the brain has been changed in this way, sexual sin takes a profound toll. The individual knows that watching porn is a shameful act and one to be kept a secret, yet each time they view it, they find themselves wanting it more, fantasying sexual acts with someone they don’t even know-who they have no bond of love with. This activity creates a deep mental bond, and feeling relieved or complete by the sexual sin; they become trapped in a destructive cycle.

Searing Your Conscience

From the Conquer Series again, "There is a part of your brain that is responsible for convicting you of wrongdoing. It’s that little voice inside of you we call it our conscience. If you continue to participate in that wrong behavior, however, eventually you become desensitized to this convicting presence. That part of your brain simply stops responding. In effect, your conscience is seared, just as the Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:2:"Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron."

That’s not all. When this area of your brain stays active chronically, you will eventually impair your ability to feel pleasure as well. Dr. Tim Jennings, expert contributor to the Conquer Series, explains:"People who damage their pleasure centers in this way will often be disinterested in healthy relationships, will often become apathetic, and they will seek out either more high risk behaviors or drugs or other types of things to stimulate the pleasure centers so they can feel this." (Carol Archebelle)

Sexual Sin Becomes an Idol

As our brains transform, so does our behavior. The changes can be subtle or obvious, but there is a great deal of energy that needs to be invested in keeping a secret life of pornography addiction. Masks need to be worn. "Pretense" needs to be maintained. There are demons from the order of Pretense. Pretense is the most formidable fallen spirit that I have ever encountered. Once he slips through an opening in your life, family or Church, breaking any sin or addiction is much more difficult -because, behind the scenes he is at work.

Byproducts of isolation, secrecy, shame, and guilt may begin to show outwardly, and a very real fear of being exposed gnaws away at you. In time sexual sin becomes our god, taking place of our Lord as the thing we need like "medication" to give relief from the pressure coming from temptation and from the work of Pretense.

From a five-year Pure Desire Ministries national survey of churches entitled "Porn Use in the Evangelical Church", we know that 68% of regular male attendees and 30% of the females are reported to be viewing porn. So one must understand that this journey is a tough one.

Dr. Weiss of the Conquer Series:"Pornography and other sexual sins] can get into a man’s heart to the place where it replaces God; it becomes an idol. And how do you know it’s an idol? When you’re in pain, you go to your idol. When you’re in need, you go to your idol. When you’re hurt, you go to your idol. When you want to celebrate, you go to your idol." If you recognize yourself in this, then you know that it is time for you to take up arms against this lying sin that is at war against your own body.

Flee From Lustful Temptations

Jesus was tempted in all the things that tempt us today, and yet never sinned. Because He is innocent He is able to bear our sins for us. But only those who have chosen to put away their sins and strive to live in the holiness of His grace will the Lord forgive and assist with the power to resist. All sin begins with an unlawful and evil desire. An unlawful desire is called lust. We all experience the pulls of lust but we must not allow it to have rule over us. When lust enters your thoughts you have a choice to let it stay and makes it way into your heart, or to say no and let it go. Sin begins when the evil desire drags us away from where our hearts need to be. "Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (James 1:14-15)

While there are many in bondage to pornography, no one need stay in that condition. Just begin to fight back, resist and say no. Righteous Joseph refused the seduction of Potiphar’s wife though her lies landed him in prison for ten years. Someone once said, "We cannot stop the birds from flying overhead, but we don’t have to let them make a nest in our hair." Put Romans 12:2 into reality."Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will."

As Christians, our goal each day should be to honor and please our Heavenly Father and Jesus our Savior who laid down His life for us. If we do this we will be empowered to quickly and decisively reject the temptations which come. "So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you; offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him. This is the true worship that you should offer." (Romans 12:1) And, -"More than anything else, however, we want to please Him, whether in our home here or there." (Galatians 6:8)

If you find that you need help don’t hesitate to share your struggle with a trusted friend to whom you can be accountable to. Someone who you know that will help stimulate and encourage you in your battle to overcome. The enemy will make it seem more difficult than it is, so never forget that in Christ you are already more than a conqueror.